The National Commission of Senior Citizens quietly commemorated its 5th Founding Anniversary amidst the onslaught of typhoon “Carina” with its commissioners airing the optimism that government will succeed in making life better for the Filipino elderly.

Fresh from encountering a storm triggered by moves seeking the ouster of suspended Chairman Franklin Quijano, officials remained hopeful that the controversies will be resolved fairly and soon.

Malacañang has designated Commissioner Mary Jean Loreche as the officer-in-charge while Quijano is serving the six-month preventive suspension imposed by the Office of the President in connection with an admistrative case filed against him.

Loreche, a doctor, was a popular choice among the commissioners who unanimously passed a resolution supporting her immediate designation as OIC.

In her anniversary message, Loreche, who played a vital role in the fight against COVID-19, remembered the late Rep. Francisco Datol for pursuing the enactment of RA 11530 that created the NCSC.

Datol succumbed to COVID-19 complications in 2020.

Loreche said the NCSC is committed to make sure that its mandate to serve the country’s senior citizens is successfully carried out. She stressed that
the Filipino elderly ‘deserve the best’ for their laudable contributions to the country.

She also cited the NCSC team as she enjoined them to continue delivering “what is expected of us”.

Senior Commissioner Reymar Mansilungan appealed for prayers for the protection of Filipinos as floods and strong winds battered parts of the country.

He also lauded the United Senior Citizens Partylist and “severy senator and congressman who have the welfare of the senior citizens in their heart and mind.”

In his video message, Commissioner Lt. Gen. (retired) Ricardo Rainer Cruz III aired hopes that his proposal for the establishment of Senior Citizens Community Care Centers “across the country” will become a reality.

“By creating community care hubs , we can ensure that every elderly Filipino has access to the care and attention they deserve,” the retired military officer stated.

According to Cruz the NCSC will open hiring for staff to fill up vacant positions, saying that the move is “crucial in executing our plans and in reaching our goals” for the senior citizens in the country.

“Finally, it is my dream for the NCSC to fully implement its mandate under the law. We are committed to realizing these mandate, we will ensure that the NCSC lives up to it,” the commissioner said.

In another video message, Commissioner Enriqueta “Odak” Rodeles noted that the NCSC just passed “another year of remarkable achievement.”

“As we celebrate the fifth year of service to the elderly Filipino, we hope and pray that we may provide and promote the dignity, security and well-being they richly deserve.”